Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park rewards the dedicated. Reaching it requires a flight to a grass airstrip or a very long drive into Tanzania's western interior — but for those who make the effort, the wildlife experience is staggering.

In the dry season, the seasonal Katuma River and the Chada floodplains shrink dramatically, forcing thousands of hippos, crocodiles, and buffalo to concentrate around the remaining water. Hippo confrontations along the banks are almost guaranteed. Pods of 200 or more hippos in a single pool are not uncommon. Lion and leopard follow the concentrations.

With only two or three small camps in the entire park and perhaps 1,000 visitors per year, Katavi offers a complete contrast to the busy northern circuit: this is what Africa looked like before mass tourism.